If the Golden State Warriors are unable to reach an agreement on a new contract with Klay Thompson this summer,
the Dallas Mavericks might consider making a sign-and-trade offer, subject to the price.
The Golden State Warriors are no longer the juggernaut, dynasty team they once were, but key players on their roster
could still provide significant championship experience to other teams on the rise as early as this summer.
Klay Thompson, who is on an expiring $43.2 million contract, isn’t the superstar sidekick to Stephen Curry that he
once was before suffering back-to-back knee and Achilles problems, but he has demonstrated that he can still score
at a high level.
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Thompson has averaged 18.3 points in his previous 14 games, during which the Warriors have gone 9-5, while
shooting 45.1 percent from the field, 41.1 percent on 8.9 tries from deep, and 91.3 percent from the free-throw line.
The 34-year-old four-time champion reportedly turned down a two-year, $48 million extension offer from the
Warriors last summer, and if the two sides are unable to reach an agreement on a new contract, Thompson should
begin searching for new opportunities where his talents may be best utilized.
The Orlando Magic are said to be interested in Thompson this offseason, but we believe the Dallas Mavericks might
also make a good fit. Not only would Thompson’s outstanding catch-and-shoot abilities complement Luka Doncic
and Kyrie Irving, but the Mavericks would have the contracts necessary to send the Warriors in a sign-and-trade to
give Thompson the salary he wants. It’s not ideal to overpay for an aging player, but the way Thompson plays the
game suggests he has several more productive years ahead of him.
Although the Mavericks have had times where they appear to be title contenders since signing Daniel Gafford and
P.J. Washington at the trade deadline, the team requires more consistency from Tim Hardaway Jr.’s role, and
Thompson may be the perfect fit.
